Law graduate treats pudding vendor as her father, finally found him and said, ”Dad, you have a lawyer now”

College of Law graduate Alex Castro never forgot the kindness of her beloved soy pudding vendor “Tatay Dong”, who she formed a special bond and friendship with when she was a student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

Although Alex is now a qualified lawyer, her Tatay Dong always has a special place in her heart. So last week, she finally returned to the campus to reunite with the man who became like a father to her over so many years.

In a touching Facebook post, Alex, who came from a broken family, expressed her love and gratitude for the man who looked out for her throughout the years she studied at UP-Diliman.

One day in December 2009, when it was raining, Tatay Dong passed Alex an extra little parcel with her fresh cup of soy pudding.

“When I opened it, it was your jacket. The one you were wearing the previous morning and all the mornings before that – your only jacket…The only thing you said to me when I tried to give it back for the last time was: ‘Nilabhan ko na ‘yan, ‘Nak. Iyo na ‘yan,’ (I already washed that, child. It’s yours),” Alex wrote on Facebook.

Alex was so touched by his gesture, and eventually bought him a brand new jacket in return!

He was so proud of the gift, and told everyone that it was given to him by his “daughter”. Aww!

“You were such a huge part of my UP experience. In fact, I can’t think about UP without thinking about you,” Alex continued.

After graduating from UP, she was practicing so hard to become a lawyer that she didn’t have time to see him but always thought about him.

“Did you know, I still have the jacket you gave me. Sometimes, I look at it, wear it, and then I remember you. I always wonder about how you are. And now you’re already a lawyer,” he replied.

Alex was overjoyed to say those words to the man who she looked up to like a father for so many years.

“When I grow up, I want to be just like him’—something I never had the chance to say about my own father,” Alex said.

The heartwarming post has touched the hearts of thousands of people on the internet, and serves as a reminder to always be kind to everyone we encounter—you never know, you may just form a special friendship with someone unexpected!